tushanshu | 21 ❄ ( VIDEO )

[ Jack's been largely off network for about a month, other than replying to those whom he's closest with. But there's too much to do and too many people who needed him to not be uselessly hung up on his own issues. So he faces the console screen with something much closer to his usual good cheer and Baby Tooth is perched in her usual spot on his shoulder. ]

There's been a lot of new people lately so I thought I'd bring this up again. My name's Jack Frost, this is Baby Tooth and I'm... kind of in charge of the Welcome Center here in the city. For anyone who's arrived lately, the kedan who showed you where your suite was should have mentioned it to you.

[ There will be a location ping that shows a very centrally located address, one that if anyone else in the city has tried to procure a business of their own will know is normally unavailable. ]

If you need anything that the kedan weren't able to provide at your suite, let me know and I'll see if I can track it down. Don't worry about if it costs money you haven't got yet. I've collected information about the city that'll help you get settled in and they're in brochures, there's books you can borrow that aren't in kedanese if you want to borrow them, like a library. Just bring them back in one piece, 'cause there aren't that many and we only seem to get more when we visit a mainland. Oh, and I have a list of some kedan shopkeepers who are willing to take on Foreigner employees so they can start working.

If you want to volunteer some time, just let me know. You don't need any kind of experience, just be willing to answer questions and help people learn about the city.

[ He thinks for a moment but can't come up with anything he's forgotten. ]

Yup. I think that's everything.

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[ The spirit nods, accepting that answer, knowing more than a little what it was like to think that the only way to get something done was not to rely on anyone else. He was working to stop the criminals is the important thing for Jack to hear there, though a small smile pulls at his mouth when Costigan admits to working for Evandau. ]

It was a pretty convincing cover since he kept throwing you in jail. So are you going keep working for him?

[ a beat ]

Is that what you want to be doing?

[Costigan gives a small smile about being thrown in jail, like a point of pride. Yeah, he spent a lot of time in the cells, trying to get information and work his way into other gangs.

His smile disappears at Jack's questions and he forgets to focus, closing his eyes and rubbing at them for a moment. It doesn't even occur to him to be surprised that he can still see Jack when he opens them again. The anxiety, pain, and fuilt of his choice are clear in his tone.]

I don't know, guy. That's the problem. I don't know if it's the right thing. I'm tired of lying, but I lied to a lot of people and I don't know if I want them finding out.

[ Jack is silent for a few moments, turning the situation over in his head before venturing his advice and any opinions on it. So his words come slowly and with a measured consideration, as though the spirit is deciphering them as he speaks. ]

If you're tired of lying, then you should walk away from it. You shouldn't have to keep doing something you don't want to. As for people finding out... they might or they might not. With the way things are in this city [ Malicant ] that's not something you can plan for either way.

But if you tell them, it'll be on your terms and it'll be... while you're still capable of dealing with the backlash, if there is any. If you run yourself down to nothing just for trying to keep up what's fake, what are you going to have left when you need it?

[ Jack takes a step toward the man, not close enough to touch but for the meaning of it: he's unafraid of anything he's heard here. ]

Knowing when to stop isn't the same as calling it quits.

Edited 2014-01-15 22:31 (UTC)

[The undercover gives a wry laugh at that. He's not mocking Jack in any way, which is clear from the almost goofy expression on his face. Costigan is simply overwhelmed with the path before him and finds some level of humor in the ridiculousness of it all.

His friend's approach doesn't go unnoticed. He respects that kind of loyalty, the kind that exists above and beyond everything else, all the bullshit and stupid choices.]

It's worse than that, guy. He wants me to help lead something. Publicly.

[ Jack is glad for the laugh, bizarrely uncharacteristic as it seems coming from the man. Jack never feels less like the Guardian of Fun around anyone as he does around Costigan... though this is not the time or place for it, anyway. ]

Wait, what kind of public "something"? Lead who?

[Costigan shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair, then readjusts his cap.]

'Lead' is the wrong word. He wants me to advise or somethin'. On a new foreigner division of the police.

Oh... well, that's not so bad. It's still your choice whether you want to work for him on something like that but-- it sounds like you'd be able to make your own choice there. Not the ones you're making because you're trying to keep your cover.

[ He spreads his hands a little, as though to say that he doesn't have the answers he thinks Costigan is looking for. ]

I know, guy. [He gives a light and almost dismissive nod. Costigan isn't looking for answers. He's looking for acceptance. Jack seems to be taking all his declarations in stride and that only makes the Bostonian more anxious, waiting for the metaphorical knife in his back. Maybe this whole thing was a mistake.

He has to stop his thoughts there, before he begins questioning magic and loses sight of the guy again.]

I wanted you to know, alright? In case somethin' happens to me. I wanted someone who could set the record straight.

[ Maybe it's a sixth sense of being a spirit or maybe Jack just makes a good guess, but he doesn't miss the rising anxiety. ]

Hey... I don't know what kind of reaction you've got in the past but-- you're not going to get it from me. This doesn't change the person I've gotten to know.

[ Admittedly "gotten to know" is a bit of a stretch, because Costigan has always been tightlipped about himself. The few instances where he'd shared personal information with Jack were significant but infrequent, making the spirit recognize them with that much more importance. ]

[Costigan stares at Jack with an even expression, allowing the silence to stretch between them for a few long seconds. Then he shakes his head and straightens from his perch, dropping his hands.]

It's all bullshit anyway. [It's a general dismissal of this place and the events surrounding them. The Bostonian's tired of pretty much all of it, especially the magic. He glances towards the door and then back to Jack again.]

We should go.

[ Jack's head dips in acknowledgement of the statement and the unspoken dismissal. ]

Right. Separate directions, I take it?

[Costigan notices the reaction of his friend. He wonders how many such signs of disappointment he's missed in his time being unable to see the guy. Frowning, he shifts uncomfortably.]

Unless you want to grab a cup of coffee before you get back to work?

[ Easily the hesitance is gone, swept away with a charming grin and an idle wave. ]

Ew, no. I came from work and stink like trout. I'll come bother you again when I'm fit to be smelled in public.

[He gives a small smile at the response, more so for Jack's benefit than out of overwhelming amusement. Then he opens the door for his friend.]

Sure, yeah. Some other time.

21 ❄ ( VIDEO )

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